Just Because I’m Religious

Just because I’m religious
Doesn’t mean that I’m some bigot prude
Who’s so stuck on condemning others
That she doesn’t see the hypocrisy in herself.
Just because I’m religious
Doesn’t mean that I try to force my beliefs
On people who don’t want to hear
Or who have their own ideas about the world.
Just because I’m religious
Doesn’t mean that I’m a fanatic
Who goes around waving bibles
Or throwing verses at people who upset me.
Just because I’m religious
Doesn’t make me a saint or an angel
That sees no evil, hears no evil, and speaks no evil
Or contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t mean
That I am humble and proper and pure.
Just because I’m religious
Doesn’t mean that I’m not friends with homosexuals
Or that I never tug the neckline of my dress down
To peer in vanity at my breasts
Or that I don’t break the rules
Or talk back
Or think lustful thoughts
Or make mistakes.
It doesn’t mean that I’m perfect.
But what it does me
Is that I answer to a Higher Power
And even though I make a mess of things
And a mess of myself
I have a calling to be something
Better than I already am
And I’m going to make mistakes
And I’m going to make a fool of myself
And I’m not always going to do what’s right
But I’m only human
And I’m trying
So don’t criticize me for my beliefs
And blame my actions on teachings
That you think are faulty.
Don’t waste your breath.
Because I’m religious
I stand behind what I think is right
And those of you who say that I judge
Need to take a step back
And look at the criticism in our own hearts
Before you try to come at me with your cruel words.
and because I’m religious
No matter what you say
Mean, or harsh, or insulting
There is nothing that you can do
To make me stop believing,
Not ever.